Gardenia: Need advice about care

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Garden_Healing Boston, MA(Zone 6a) Apr 03, 2011

I couldn't resist buying a gardenia at the Boston Flower Show even though I know they need tons of light and I have no good southern exposure here. I've never had a gardenia survive me before. So far I think I understand that they need lots of water (this one seems to require daily watering) and light (I am trying to use fluorescent lighting to boost indirect light from window). My plant blooms well but the blooms turn yellow within a few days. Also I am noticing a few bottom leaves with black spots... any ideas?

Thanks for advice. Attached is the gardenia when I bought it. I will follow with pics of the current state of affairs.

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Garden_Healing Boston, MA(Zone 6a) Apr 03, 2011

Plant now....

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Garden_Healing Boston, MA(Zone 6a) Apr 03, 2011

Close up of yellow blooms

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Garden_Healing Boston, MA(Zone 6a) Apr 03, 2011

Close up of black spotted and yellowing new leaves

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Apr 03, 2011

Yellowing leaves can be caused by a lot of things, but I'd definitely check on your watering. I've found gardenias can be a bit fussy about water--while you don't want to let them dry out too much, it's also very possible to overwater them. If you're watering every day that strikes me as possibly being too much. I'd try the finger test before watering--stick your finger down a couple inches into the soil to see how wet it is. If it still feels wet, then hold off but if it's drying out then go ahead and water.

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mamasita Southern Dutchess Co, NY(Zone 5b) Apr 03, 2011

It does sound as if the gardenia is getting a bit too much water. Also, they tend to like an acid fertilizer. The other thing to note is the white flowers do turn to an ivory color after a day or so. Mine were always spider mite magnets, no matter what I did for them.

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